This reference lists the recommended operating and storage temperature ranges for the Dusty FieldPrinter system and its ink cartridges. Use it to decide whether jobsite or storage conditions are safe for printing, charging, and overnight storage — including cold-weather, hot-weather, and freezing conditions.
Operating outside these ranges can reduce print quality, slow laser tracker warm-up, shorten battery life, and in extreme cases damage the equipment or ink.
Note: The "FieldPrinter Set" range applies to the kit as a whole (FieldPrinter 2, Laser Tracker AT500, Radio Box, and Tablet). The Laser Tracker AT930, when used, has a higher cold-weather limit — see the laser tracker note below.
Equipment temperature ranges
| Item | Operating | Storage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FieldPrinter Set — FieldPrinter 2, Laser Tracker AT500, Radio Box, Tablet | 5°F – 110°F (-15°C – 43°C) | 5°F – 110°F (-15°C – 43°C) | Using or charging the tablet below 32°F or above 95°F can reduce performance and shorten battery life. |
| Water-Based Ink Cartridges | 30°F – 90°F (-1°C – 32°C) | 14°F – 130°F (-10°C – 54°C) | Cold thickens the ink and prevents proper heating and printing. Heat thins it, causing unreliable or messy printing and possible printhead damage. |
| Solvent-Based Ink Cartridges | 25°F – 95°F (-4°C – 35°C) | -4°F – 95°F (-20°C – 35°C) | High temperatures dry the ink too quickly and clog the printhead. Low temperatures raise viscosity and reduce flow. |
⚠️ Laser Tracker AT930: The minimum operating temperature of the AT930 is 32°F (0°C) — higher than the FieldPrinter Set's 5°F floor.
🔎 To reduce the risk of overheating, keep all equipment in shaded areas whenever possible.
Ink temperature ranges, explained
Ink is the most temperature-sensitive part of the system. Match the ink type to the jobsite temperature:
- Water-Based prints best in dry environments at 30°F – 90°F. It is not suitable for below-freezing temperatures or moist surfaces.
- Solvent-Based handles cold and slightly moist surfaces well and prints at 25°F – 95°F. It is not suitable for high-temperature environments, where it can dry too fast and clog.
Note that ink storage ranges are wider than operating ranges — ink can be stored colder or warmer than it can be printed, but it must be brought back into the operating range (and acclimated, below) before use.
Maintaining the right temperature
Acclimatize cold cartridges before use. If cartridges have been stored cold — below 14°F for water-based or below -4°F for solvent-based — let them reach room temperature (68°F – 72°F) before printing.
Store ink correctly. Keep ink cartridges in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight, ideally between 35°F and 85°F. Do not let water-based ink freeze.
⚠️ Do not store solvent-based ink cartridges in enclosed spaces exposed to heat or direct sunlight (for example, gang boxes or parked vehicles). Temperatures inside can exceed safe limits and cause cartridge failure. Solvent-based cartridges must be stored below 95°F (35°C).
Manage heat during operation. Keep equipment shaded. During printing, solvent-based cartridges can be kept in a cool box — but avoid direct contact with ice, which can damage the cartridge.
Print regularly. Printing keeps the ink flowing and prevents it from drying out in the printhead.
When you operate outside the range
The FieldPrinter is intended to be used between 5°F and 110°F. Operating outside the recommended temperature range counts as misuse and can lead to:
- Faded, incomplete, or messy prints
- Printhead clogging (solvent ink in heat) or poor flow (any ink in cold)
- Longer laser tracker warm-up times and tracking interruptions
- Reduced battery capacity in cold and shortened battery service life in heat
Re-stationing or re-recording control points will not correct problems caused by operating outside the temperature range.